The Quad: Pet-ential adopters encouraged to pause, examine lifestyle before committing

From finding the pet that best suits one’s lifestyle to making sure they lead healthy social lives, the process of raising a pet encompasses a wide range of responsibilities.

So how does one navigate their way through having a new pet?

According to pet adoption specialist Ariel Dengrove of Best Friends Animal Society, it is important for prospective pet owners to put in the research when determining which pet best suits them.

“Especially with dogs, people get very hung up on looks and it’s important to know what kind of breed you’re getting,” Dengrove said. “If you decide you want a husky, you need to understand the kind of activity level a husky is going to require and the fact that it’s not a dog you can just throw into your backyard.”

Law professor Taimie Bryant said that new owners must also consider how roommates and landlords feel about a living space with pets. In addition to complying with policy, Bryant said that this precaution would aid pets and owners alike in potential emergencies or evacuations.

Christian Suarez, UCLA law student and UCLA Animal Law Society co-president, said that people should reflect on their lifestyle to make sure they are compatible with their pets, as the process of raising a pet requires long-term commitment and companionship.

Bryant said compared to larger companies, pet shelters and rescue teams have additional resources to help owners better connect with potential pets. With rescue teams, specialists work to match people based on their personalities and lifestyle, she added.

Suarez said that organizations such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and adoption shelters provide many informative resources for prospective pet adopters when deciding which animals to bring into their homes.

Another major component of raising a pet is proper veterinary care, including how to bring pets from home to a nearby clinic, according to Bryant.

Bryant added that due to the pandemic, it has become more difficult for pet owners to find clinics that are accepting new patients, meaning people should seek out reliable, nearby clinics as soon as they can.

But even after the lengthy preparation and adoption process, adopters must still train their pets to ensure they follow rules at home.

Dengrove said that rather than punishing pets for poor behavior, they should be rewarded for good behavior to ensure they remain friendly.

“When you punish an animal … it teaches them to be scared, and fear creates aggression,” Dengrove said.

Dengrove added that when training their pets, adopters should focus on potty training, discipline and activity.

“A lot of issues (with training) arise because animals are just not getting the proper amount of exercise, so they have a lot of built-up energy,” Dengrove said. “So you have to make sure you’re going on long walks or doing a lot of playtime so that they have the mental capacity to take on training.”

And while human interaction in particular may help pets feel loved, some pets may still want to socialize with other animals.

According to Dengrove, beyond training, giving pets the opportunity to interact with other animals can satisfy their social needs as well as allow owners to gauge how comfortable their pet is with others.

“If they’re loose and they seem interested, they’re probably wanting to play with another animal,” Dengrove said. “If they’re barking and they’re uncomfortable, then they’re good. They don’t need another animal around.”

Bryant said that planning events, such as walking one’s pet at the same time as another furry friend, can help foster socialization.

According to Dengrove, people tend to fall into having the misconception of thinking animals are not sentient beings and should be aware of their needs.

“It’s important to respect their boundaries and then (make) sure that they feel safe and comfortable and you’re giving them the love that they need and the time that they may need to decompress,” Dengrove said.